Aussie CIOs half as likely to get a seat on the board

Report: Disconnect between business and IT leaders.

CIOs are only half as likely to be offered a seat on the board of Australian organisations as their global peers, according to a survey conducted by Ernst and Young.

The survey of some 869 C-Level executives, 50 of which were based in Australia, found a disconnect between business and IT decision making within most large organisations.

Only 13 percent of Australian CIOs surveyed were offered a seat on the company board, versus 28 percent globally.

Only around one in four Australian executives felt that they had a good idea of how IT could transform their business or a complete picture of how IT budgets are spent, versus 36 percent and 42 percent globally.

Those budgets aren’t necessarily growing, either. The survey found that only 42 percent of the 50+ Australian organisations had allowed the CIOs a higher IT budget over the last 12 months.

“More than ever, Boards, CEOs and their executive teams need a solid understanding of IT and to have in place skilled, capable teams that can help them deliver growth,” said Ernst and Young advisor Mike Emmett.

“Technology is embedded in almost every business process. It is at the core of a company’s cost centre, and in particular sectors is inextricably linked to productivity and a company’s core value proposition.

Emmett said the boards of Australian companies require a greater diversity in terms of skill sets, but it was up to CIOs to put their hand up.

“CIOs must continue to widen their lens to include more than just a focus on IT and become a true business partner,” he said.

“In particular, IT is expected to provide essential data management to help analyse markets and customers and focus on profitable segments.”

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